It is common knowledge that cars are getting heavier and heavier for various reasons. The expansion of communication capabilities, the introduction of numerous active and passive safety systems (which are now mandatory for most), as well as the growing appeal of SUVs among consumers have contributed constant increase in the weight of the car over the years. Let’s take an eloquent example: the Mercedes 190 of 1982, the predecessor of the C-class, was 4.42 meters long and weighed between 1,080 and 1,300 kg, depending on the configuration. If we jump forward more than 40 years to examine the current Mercedes C-Class, we find that it is 4.75 meters long and weighs over two tonnes in its plug-in hybrid version. To put these numbers into perspective, that’s more than the first S-Class (W116) launched in 1972, a top-of-the-range model.

And while you might think the problem only affects fuel consumption, the weight gain of cars has much wider implications, affecting areas such as driver’s licenseand, paradoxically, security.

The Euro NCAP organization sounds the alarm

The greater the weight of the car, the greater the force required to brake it. These are the immutable laws of physics. So it makes sense that heavier cars require more powerful braking systems.

In the event of an accident, the greater the weight, the greater the risk for passengers of other vehicles. This is what the European safety organization Euro NCAP found in its report on tests carried out in 2022. The organization published a note on the increase in weight of new cars, accompanied by a comparative table of cars tested in two periods: 2010-2012. and 2020 – 2022

So, let’s note that over the decade, compact cars gained an average of more than 100 kilograms, 200 kilograms for models of the E segment (Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, etc.) and more than 130 kilograms for city SUVs. And when we separate out electric vehicles, these numbers rise dramatically: an average of 1,657 kilograms for an electric compact car, more than two tons for an electric D-segment model, and 1,978 kilograms for an electric compact SUV.

So imagine today’s collision between a two-ton electric SUV and a ten-year-old compact car that weighs only 1,400 kilograms. Euro NCAP highlighted the need for adequate damping structures as well as more effective driver assistance systems to protect not only other vehicles but also vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. But isn’t the snake biting its own tail, knowing that these new technologies will undoubtedly increase the weight of cars even more?

Vehicle weight: Euro NCAP issues a warning

An increase in the weight of the car causes an increase in the force required to stop it. This is an unshakable law of physics. Therefore, it is obvious that heavier cars need more reliable braking systems. In the event of a collision, the heavier the vehicle, the greater the danger to the passengers of other vehicles. This was reported by the European safety agency Euro NCAP in its report on tests conducted in 2022. The agency published a note on the gradual weight increase of new cars, accompanied by a comparison table of vehicles tested during two different periods: 2010-2012 and 2020-2022. So we can see that in ten years, compact cars have gained an average of over 100 kilograms, 200 kilograms for E-category models (Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, etc.) and over 130 kilograms. for city SUVs. When it comes to electric vehicles, these numbers rise rapidly, with an average of 1,657 kilograms for an electric compact car, over two tons for a D-category electric model, and 1,978 kilograms for an electric compact SUV. So imagine today’s collision between a two-ton electric SUV and a ten-year-old compact car that weighs only 1,400 kilograms. Euro NCAP highlighted the importance of having adequate damping structures as well as better driver assistance systems to protect not only other vehicles but also vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. However, isn’t this a vicious circle, knowing that these new technologies risk adding even more weight to cars?

Trouble on the horizon with your driver’s license?

Another important aspect of the constant increase in the weight of the car concerns driving license restrictions. Currently, B license holders are allowed to drive cars the weight of which does not exceed 3.5 tons. We’re still a long way from that limit for traditional cars, but as Bentley pointed out a while ago, if this trend continues, a B license may not be sufficient in the future. To illustrate his argument, the British manufacturer cited the example of the Bentayga in the version with an extended wheelbase: 2,514 kg, total weight of 3,250 kg. And this model is not electric. With batteries, this will significantly exceed the allowed limits. In the same vein, the new Volvo EX90, an all-electric luxury SUV, weighs at least 2.8 tonnes, while the new BMW i7, with all its options, comes dangerously close to three tonnes. Some manufacturers seem to be aware of this problem, such as Tesla, which has no plans to offer larger batteries than those it already sells. To maximize autonomy, the American manufacturer plans to reduce the weight of its cars and work on aerodynamics. And it seems to work, as Mercedes proves with its EQXX concept car.